Committee backs burial medallion for National Guard and reserve members; bill cleared from committee

The Government and Veterans Affairs committee voted to give House Bill 1293 a do-pass recommendation after testimony that the measure would allow the state to provide a burial medallion for National Guard and reserve members who are not otherwise eligible for a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs marker.

Representative Steve Vetter, sponsor of HB1293, said the bill would give North Dakota National Guard and reserve members parity with other service components that may receive medallions when they are buried in private cemeteries. “This bill gives the National Guard parity with the other branches of the military,” Vetter said.

Lonnie Longan, Commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs, testified the measure would create a state-issued bronze medallion for eligible Guard and reserve members buried in private cemeteries and estimated costs by using historic burial rates. Longan provided a biennial fiscal estimate based on roughly 4% of state cemetery burials being Guard/reserve and vendor pricing for bronze medallions (roughly $90–$195 each); his office proposed the appropriated funding be requested from the general fund.

Supporters including Jenna Lansing and veterans’ representatives described the medallion as a recognition tool for citizen-soldiers who did not meet federal marker eligibility. Questions from committee members covered whether the medallions would be state-branded (Commissioner Longan said the department would work with the Guard on a North Dakota design) and whether the program would be retroactive; Longan said the fiscal note addressed going forward and that retroactive awards would require further criteria or an amendment.

Representative Rohrer moved a do-pass and Representative Van Winkle seconded. Jackson called the roll; the motion carried with a 14–0 vote. The committee closed the hearing and forwarded HB1293 with the recommendation.